King's major success began in the 1960s when she and her first husband, Gerry Goffin, wrote more than two dozen chart hits, many of which have become standards, for numerous artists. She has continued writing for other artists since then. King's success as a performer in her own right did not come until the 1970s, when she sang her own songs, accompanying herself on the piano, in a series of albums and concerts. After experiencing commercial disappointment with her debut album Writer, King scored her breakthrough with the album Tapestry, which topped the U.S. album chart for 15 weeks in 1971 and remained on the charts for more than six years.
King has made 25 solo albums, the most successful being Tapestry, which held the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for more than 20 years. Her record sales were estimated at more than 75 million copies worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a performer and songwriter. She is the recipient of the 2013 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, the first woman to be so honored. She is also a 2015 Kennedy Center Honoree.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carole_King
Studio albums
Writer (1970)
Tapestry (1971)
Music (1971)
Rhymes & Reasons (1972)
Fantasy (1973)
Wrap Around Joy (1974)
Thoroughbred (1976)
Simple Things (1977)
Welcome Home (1978)
Touch the Sky (1979)
Pearls: Songs of Goffin and King (1980)
One to One (1982)
Speeding Time (1983)
City Streets (1989)
Colour of Your Dreams (1993)
Love Makes the World (2001)
A Holiday Carole (2011)
Goodbye Don't Mean I'm Gone
Carole King Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And here we are still carrying on
Reaching out for one another
Like a telephone call from an old friend or a brother
And you are there to share this song in the making
Goodbye don't mean I'm gone
I know how alone you are
From the ones who mean the most to you
When you would so much rather have them close to you
I hope you know you haven't been forsaken
Goodbye don't mean I'm gone
I'll never be what you think you see in me
If I can help you deal with what you see as real
That makes me glad to have known you
Missing you the way I do
You know I'd like to see more of you
But it's all I can do to be a mother
(My baby's in one hand, I've a pen in the other)
You know my love is always there for the taking
And goodbye don't mean I'm gone
Carole King's song "Goodbye Don't Mean I'm Gone" is a touching ballad about enduring relationships even in the absence of physical proximity. In the opening lines, King observes that time keeps moving forward even as she and her loved ones continue to rely on each other across distance. The comparison to a telephone call from a brother highlights the importance of these connections, which remain steadfast even when life changes.
The second verse of the song is addressed directly to a loved one who is far away, conveying empathy for their isolation and a desire for connection. The bridge of the song acknowledges that people often feel misunderstood, but that the ability to support one another through that experience can be a gift. The final verse of the song brings the focus back to King herself, portraying her as a busy mother but one who always has love to offer.
Overall, "Goodbye Don't Mean I'm Gone" highlights the power of love and support to transcend physical distance. By honouring the resiliency of relationships that endure through time and space, King emphasises that no goodbye is ever truly a final one.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't it seem like the time goes on
Doesn't it feel like time is moving forward
And here we are still carrying on
And yet, we are still moving forward too
Reaching out for one another
Trying to connect and support each other
Like a telephone call from an old friend or a brother
Offering familiarity and comfort like a call from a loved one
And you are there to share this song in the making
You are here to support me through the creative process
Goodbye don't mean I'm gone
Just because we may part ways, doesn't mean I am unreachable
I know how alone you are
I understand how you feel isolated
When it's so hard to be so far
When it's difficult to be separated by distance
From the ones who mean the most to you
From the people who are most important to you
When you would so much rather have them close to you
When you wish they could be physically near you
I hope you know you haven't been forsaken
I want you to know that you are not forgotten
I'll never be what you think you see in me
I may not match up to the image you have of me
If I can help you deal with what you see as real
But if I can offer support to help you face reality
That makes me glad to have known you
Then I am happy to have been a part of your life
Missing you the way I do
I am feeling the absence of you deeply
You know I'd like to see more of you
I wish we could spend more time together
But it's all I can do to be a mother
But right now, my role as a mother is taking up most of my time
(My baby's in one hand, I've a pen in the other)
(I am juggling caring for my child with my creative work)
You know my love is always there for the taking
You can always count on my love and support
And goodbye don't mean I'm gone
Even if we say goodbye, I am still here for you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CAROLE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind